Web-feeding mechanism



Aug. 7,. 1945. A. THOMAS 2,381,322

WEB-FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ARTHUR THOMAS ATTORNEY- Aug. 7, 1945. V

A. THOMAS WEB-FEEDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1944 INVEVNTOR ARTHUR THOMAS BY 2,2. 4 m

NOE

ATTOR N EY Aug. 7, 1945. THOMAS I 2,381,322

WEB-FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 2, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A INVENTOP ARTHUR THOMAS ATTORNEY AfTHOMAS WEB FEEDING MECHANI S M Filed Feb. 2 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F/GS.

' INVENTOR A -THuR THOMAS BY, jig/5221 TORNEY llg- 7, 1945. I A. THOMAS 2,381,322

WEB-FEEDING MECHANISM N Filed Feb. 2', 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/G6. I

INVENTOR ARTHU R THO MAS ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 7, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 2, 1944, Serial No. 520,835

In Great Britain February 5, 1943 w 22 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for feeding tape, strip, or web record material, e. g., paper or any material of small or greater strength, through a punching or a sensing machine by-means of feeding pins engaging feed holes in the web, which pull the web through the machine, and is particularly applicable to apparatus for feeding paper tape intended to be punched by selective code-holes and feed holes to be used for controlling statistical or accounting machines.

A main object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of mechanism for engaging and disengaging the feed pins and feed holes and a further object is to provide an improved form of the above mentioned kind of feeding mechanism in which the tensionin the record material, while it is being fed, is reduced to a minimum and the accuracy of the feed thereby increased.

, According to the present invention mechanism for feeding tape, strip, or web material, e. g., weak or stronger paper, through a; machine'ineludes in combination feeding pins carried on a support movable to' and fro to feed the web intermittently, and means for moving the web relatively to the pins at each end of the stroke of the support so as to effect engagement of the -feed holes in the web with the pins at the beginning of a feed stroke of the support and disengagement of the holes from the pins at the end of the feed stroke.

Preferably according to the invention the pins are mounted on the end of 'a hinged element and mechanism is provided for rocking said hinged element about its hinge axis between successive movements of the web relatively to the pins.

According to a further feature of the invention the mechanism may include a pair of elements movable with the support and disposed to embrace between them the portion of the web which is in the region of the pins, together with mechanism operating in timed relation with the intermittent movement of the support to raise said web-embracing elements at the end of a feeding movement of the support whereby the web is lifted off the pins and to lower said webembracing elements at the beginning of a feeding movement of the support whereby the holes in the web are threaded on to the pins.

holes in the stripper plate and the threader plate having holes to receive the pins; The stripper plate and the threader plate may be rigidly connected together to slide as a unit on the support and may be spring-urgedinto the position in which they hold the web with its holes threaded on to the pins, the machine including an actuator which rises ,at the end of a feed stroke of the support to lift the stripper and threader plates relatively to the support and falls at the,

end of a return stroke of the support to permit descent of said plates under the action of their spring.

The invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for punching records in successive zones of a web of paper, and the invention also comprises apparatus of this kind including in combination punches for making record and marginal feed holes in the web, and mechanism of the form set forth above for feeding the web 'past the punches and wherein the feed pin support is operative to make a feed stroke while the punches are out of engagement with the web and to make a return stroke while the punches are through-the web, said apparatus also including mechanism, operative under the control of the punch actuating means, to effect the disengagement of the feed holes in the web from the pins as the punches penetrate the web and to effect the engagement of the feed holes with the pins during disengagement of the punches from the web.

Preferably such punching apparatus comprises settable punches for makingrecord holes in the web, apair of fixed punches for making mar-' ginal feed holes in the web, movable dies with which all said punches co-operate, mechanism for lifting the dies to effect punching while the feed pin support is at rest at the end of its return stroke and for lowering said dies to disengage the web from the punches while the support is at rest at the end of its feed stroke, and a pair of arms extending below the stripper plate and movable with saiddies whereby on the rise of the dies to effect punching said arms raise the stripper and threader plates to lift the web off the feedpins and on the descent of the dies said arms are lowered away from the stripper plate,

thereby permitting the stripper and threader Conveniently the web-embracing elements comprise a stripper plate and a threader plate slidably mounted on the support and between the holes in the web onto the pins.

According to a further feature of the invention punching apparatus having the features set forth above includes an auxiliary feeding device which the web passes, the pins passing through sglocated between the punches and a storage roll for the web, and mechanism for actuating said auxiliary feeding device in timed relation with the operations of the feed pin support and oi' the punches in such a, way that while the punches are through the web, the auxiliary feeding device draws from the storage roll sumcient of the web to form a bight, which is taken up during the feeding operation next performed by the feeding pins, whereby the feeding pins do not perform any work in unwinding the web from the storage roll and the web is thus free from appreciable tension during feeding operations.

Preferably the auxiliary feeding device includes a bar disposed parallel to the storage roll axis and arranged between the roll and the punches and mechanism is provided for lowering said bar on to the web to form the bight between the punches and the roll in between each feeding operation.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, which show the invention applied to a machine for punching record holes in a tape.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine with the feed pins and their support at the beginning of a feed stroke;

Figure 2 is a, front elevation similar to that shown in Figure l but with the feed pins and their support at the beginning of an idle return stroke;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line III III of Figures2 and Figure 4 is a detail view showing the construction of the oscillating support for the feed pins viewed from the right in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is arear elevation of the machine;

Figure 6 is a vertical section through a comb bar for guiding certain slides which serve to select the punches, and

Figure '7 is a view in section to a larger scale of thetake-up roll mechanism for the tape.

In the construction shown in the drawings the machine comprises a base plate I, a main vertical frame plate 2, secured to the base plate, a vertical bar 3, standing up behind the plate 2 and likewise secured to the base plate I, and an overhanging horizontal bar [bolted to the top of the bar 3, and passing through a slot 4a, in the plate 2 (Figs. 3 and 5).

The machine also includes a vertically reciprocable die plate assembly comprising two vertical bars 5 which are slotted at their lower ends 6 (Figs. 1 and 2) to engage over guide blocks 1 loosely mounted on a shaft 8, journalled in the plate 2 and a bearing plate 8a.

The lower die plate 9 is fixed across the upper ends of the two vertical bars 5 and the upper die plate I0 is screwed to the lower die plate at its rear end, the two plates having lateral extensions 9a and I be respectively, which extensions afford additional means for receiving a securing screw or pin I I to maintain the two plates in the correct relative position. The die plates are made thicker at their rear ends so that a gap I2 is provided between them through which the tape can be fed.

Fixed to the upper face of the upper die plate ID are four guide posts l3 which are received in holes in a guide plate 14 suspended from the overhanging bar 4 by means of a plate l5 having wings I! (Figs. 2 and 3) at each end to which the plate I4 is attached.

Secured across the side faces of the bars 5 at their upper ends is the lower limb l8 of a horizontal U-shaped member of which the upper limb I9 is secured to two of the guide posts I3, whereby the upper and lower die plates are firmly se- ,cured together along their length from front to rear of the machine, while leaving the gap l2 between them open at the front to permit insertion of the tape as will presently be explained.

The punches20'for making the record perforations in the tape are freely mounted in apertures in the upper die plate Ill and the guide plate I4 and are selected for operation by means of manually settable slides 2|.

In the illustrated construction there are four punches in each column and the digits 0 to 9 are respectively represented by a code involving single holes, or combinations of holes in the same column. For example the digit 1 may be represented by a single hole in the 1 position, the digit 5 may be represented by two holes in the same column, one in the 1 position and the other in the 2 position, while the digit 9 may be represented by three holes in the same column located in the 2, 3 and 4 positions respectively. Each of the punch selecting slides 2| carries a number of abutment lugs 22 and can be moved by hand along the corresponding column of punches to bring the abutment lugs over the punches which are to be set. In order to provide for the code punching, each slide carries several of the lugs 22,each positioned on the slide and having a length such that it will overlie the required punch or punches when the slide is positioned in accordance with the digit corresponding to the lug in question.

The slides 2| are guided for longitudinal movement in two comb bars 23 which project from the frame plate 2, theslides being maintained in the slots of the comb bars by the underface of the over-hanging bar 4. The arrangement of the slides 2| forms no part of the present invention and any convenient known mechanism may be provided for retaining them in the set position. By way of example Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows for this purpose a common detent bar 24 cooperating with detent teeth 25 in the upper edges of the slides, said detent bar depending from the free edge of a plate 26 pivoted on a cross spindle 21 and urged by a, spring 28 to hold the detent bar 24 in engagement with the teeth 25. The spindle 21 is carried between the frame plate 2 and a plate 29 attached to the front ends of the comb bars 23 and of the bar 4.

Between the two comb bars 23 the lower edges of the slides 2| are supported against lateral bending by a comb bar comprising an angle plate of which the vertical portion 30 is fixed to the upper arm I 9 of the U-shaped member already referred to while the horizontal portion 3| of the angle plate isformed with slots 32 (Fig. 6) to receive the lower edges of the slides 2| these slots being deep enough to permit passage of the abutment lugs 22. It will be noted that the comb bar 30-3I moves up and down with the die plates '9 and I0 and therefore moves relatively to the slides 2|.

The paper tape T is of approximately the same width asone of the standard record cards used in controlling a tabulating machine and in the present construction is wide enough to accommodate twenty-one columns for the reception of data perforations. Accordingly there are twen- 2,381,322 ty-one columns of punches 20 arranged side by A side across the machine from front to rear.

The paper tape T to be perforated is drawn under fixed guide rods 31 and 39 and is wound on Projecting downwardly from the fixed guide plate M which is disposed above the upper die plate are two feed hole punches 42, one at each end of said plate, these punches being disposed in flanking relation to the longitudinal rows of data perforating punches 20, and, cooperating with corresponding holes in the lower die plate 9.

under the ends of the stripper bar 44. The operation of this part of the mechanism is as follows:

When the bars 5 rise to lift the die plates 9 and In the lifting bars 5| rise with them and lift the stripper bar 44 and the threader plate 46 relatively to the support plate 40 against the action of the spring 45, the stripper bar 44 thereby lifts As the lower and upper die plates 9 and I0 rise at each cycle of the machine the tape T is lifted by the lower die plate 9 and is thereby perforated with a marginal feeding hole adjacent each of-its edges. the punches 42 whch form these feeding holes are of square cross section so that the feeding holes themselves are square.

After the paper tape T leaves the punching mechanism, it passes to the main feeding device, which includes the support 40 for the two feeding pins 4| which are of square cross section to engage the square marginal holes in the tape.

The support comprises a fiat plate member 40a attached to an oscillatalble shaft 43 and a flat plate 40 attached to the plate 40a in a manner which will .be described later, the feeding pins In the constructionnow being described the upper ends of the feeding pins 4| project above the stripperbar 44.

Mounted above the plane of the tape T and immediately above the stripper bar 44 is a threader plate 46 which comprises in effect a flange bent out from the lower edge of the upper arm 41 of a U-shaped member of which the lower arm 48 is attached to the stripper bar 44 (Fig. 4). The threader plate 46 is formed with holes 49 through which the feeding pins 4| can pass and it will be observed that the provision of the U-shaped member 41-48 affords a gap 50 between the stripper bar 44 and threader plate 46 through which the tape T can pass, this gap being moreover open at the front, as seen in Fig. 1,

which will be explained later.

Since the threader plate 46 and stripper bar 44 are thus connected together they can move as a unit up and down on the support plate 40 for the feeding pins 4|.

Projecting'horizontally from each of the ver- 'tical bars 5 of the lower die plate assembly are position) punched feed holes must always be equal to the so that the tape can be inserted in the manner two lifting bars 5| which respectively extend operation the threader plate 46 pushes the paper tape T down so that the marginal holes already made in the paper at the-preceding machine cycle, which holes, as will be explained later, are at this time in register with the feeding pins 4|, are threaded on to the pins, the pins 4| b'eing uncovered and caused to project above the stripper bar 44 by the descent of that bar 44 relatively to the plate 40 on which the pins 4| are fixed.

The timing of the oscillation of the support plate 40 and the reciprocation of the bars 5 cansing .the die plates 9 and I0 and the lifting'bars 5| is such that during a feeding stroke of the plate 40 the bars 5 and die plates 9 and ID are down and plate 40 moves away from the punches 20 and 42, pulling the paper T with it.. At the end of the feed stroke the plate 40 remains at rest while bars 5 and die plates 9 and I0 rise and punching is effected. At this moment, therefore, twp marginal holes are formed in the tape T, one at each side thereof.

The rise of the'bars 5lifts the stripper bar 44 whereby the paper is lifted clear of the pins 4|, thereby rendering the plate 40 free to perform an idle returnstroke. (Fig. 2 position.)

During this idle return stroke the bars 5 and die plates 9 and 0 remain up, so that the punches 20 and 42 are through the tape T and prevent any movement thereof.

At"the end of the return stroke the plate 40 remains stationary while the bars 5 and die plates 9 and I0 descend. During the descent of the bars 5 the lifting bars 5| -move down with it away from the stripper bar 44 and threader plate 46, which under the action of their spring 45 descend relatively to the plate 40, whereby the threader plate 46 pushes the paper T down and threads on to the pins 4| the holes which were made in the paper at the preceding punching operation.

(Fig. 1 position.) Y

It may here be pointed out that since the punching of the feed holes is effected when the plate 40 is at the end of a feed stroke (Figure 2 the distance between successively extent of movement of the feeding pins 4| whereby also when the plate 40 reaches the end of the return stroke (Figure 1 position) the pins 4| will be accurately disposed below the feed holes punched at the preceding operation, since the immediately preceding feeding operation has advanced these holes from the punches 42 by a distance equal to the spacing between the holes and therefore equal to the movement of the plate 40 and the pins 4| during the feeding stroke.

It will also be understood that since the datawith the feeding holes, as may be the case where the paper is formed with the feeding holes in one machine and the data perforations are made in another machine through which the paper is fed by means of the feeding holes.

Since thelifting bars 5| extend underneath the stripper bar 44 throughout the entire path of its oscillating travel the upper surfaces of the lifting bars 5| are made arcuate as at 5|a and of the same radius as the radius of the path of travel of the lower surface of the stripper bar 44 which engages with them, whereby the movement of the stripper bar is not impeded by the lifting bars.

Disposed between the stock roll 33 and the punching mechanism is an auxiliary feeding dewhich projects from one arm 52 of an actuating lever 52-50, transversely across the tape T, the lever 52-50 being fixed to shaft 43 which is rocked by mechanism to be described later in such a way that the bar 35 is rocked up and down in an are running transversely of the path of travel of the tape.

The other arm 50 of the lever 52-80 actuates the take-up roll as will be described later, so that the take-up roll and the auxiliary feeding bar 35 are operated simultaneously.

As the lever 6052 is fixed to the shaft 43, to which-also the feed pin support 40 is fixed, the timing of the movement of this lever and therefore of the movement of the auxiliary feedin bar 35 is such that it moves downwardly (to the Figure 1 position) during a return stroke of the feed pin support 40 and upwardly (to the Figure 2 position) during the feed stroke. I

As already explained during the return stroke of the feed pin support 40 the punches 20 and 42 are projecting through the paper, which therefore cannot move. During the return stroke the auxiliary feedbar 35 moves down to the Figure 1 position'and since the paper cannot move by reason of the punches being in engagement with the holes which they have punched in it, the auxiliary feed bar 35 pulls a length of paper from the stock roll 33, which paper forms a. loop or bight B between the stock roll and the punching mechanism.

During the descent of the punch dies 8 and Ill the auxiliary feeding bar 35 remains in its lowest (Figure 1) position, holding the loop or bight B of paper extended.

As the feed pin support 40 commences to execute the feed stroke so the auxiliary bar 35 commences to rise to the Figure 2 position. The feeding pins 4|, during the feed stroke pull the paper tape T through the punches thereby taking up the bight B in the paper, but as the rise of the auxiliary feeding bar 35 takes place at a. rate proportional to the rate of feed, the taking up of the bight is controlled so that at no time ,vice comprising the bar 35 already referred to,

After leaving the feeding device the tape T is passed over a fixed guide rod 31 and then under another fixed guide rod 38 whence it passes to the take-up roll indicated generally at 39. The take-up roll comprises a spindle 53 (Figure '1) projecting from the plate 2- and having freely mounted thereon a rotatable sleeve 54, held in place by a collar 55 fixed to the spindle 53. At its rear end the sleeve 54 carries a disc 56 on which is pivoted a pawl 51 co-operating with a ratchet wheel 58 freely mounted on the rear end of the spindle 53 and meshing with a. rack 59 which'is pivoted at its lower end to the arm 60 of the lever 5260 and is held in engagement with the wheel 58 by a roll 6| mounted on a stud secured to the plate 2.

During the idle return stroke of the feed pin support plate 48 the rack is raised to rotate the wheel 58 clockwise in Figure 1, and the wheel, through the pawl 51 and disc 58 turns the sleeve 54 to wind up the tape, which is attached to the sleeve. During the feed stroke of the plate 40 the rack 59 descends and the wheel 58 rotates counterclockwise, the pawl slipping over the teeth ,thereof so that no movement is imparted to the sleeve 54.

In order to attach the tape to the sleeve 54, the free end of the tape is wound round a split sleeve (not shown) and held thereon by a tubular spring clip. The split sleeve is then pushed on to the sleeve 54 endwise, the springiness of the split sleeve affording sufllcient grip to cause rotation of the sleeve 54 to wind up the tape.

It will be seen that during the feeding of the tape the take up sleeve 54 remains stationary and therefore the length of perforated paper which has been fed by the feeding pins 4| forms a loop or bight C (Figure 2) in advance of the take up sleeve 54. Then during the return stroke of the feeding pins, while the paper is stationary in the punching mechanism the sleeve 54 rotatesto take up the bight C of paper. Thus the pull on the paper is reduced to a minimum, and since the free end of the tape is attached to the sleeve 54 only by the frictional grip of the split sleeve above referred to, no tearing of the paper can result.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the tape is not subjected to any strain due either to its unwinding from the stock roll 33 or to the action of the take-up roll in winding up the paper after it has been perforated. t In order to permit insertion of the tape into is the bight left completely loose, although the control is such as not to interfere with the taking up of the bight or to impose a load on the paper.

At the end of the feed stroke the bar 35 has just reached the Figure 2 position.

By this means the feeding pins 4|, in pulling the paper through the punches, only have to'pull a short length of paper and do not have to do any work in unwinding aper from the stock roll 33 and turning the stock roll round. The stock roll remains stationary during the feeding movement of the paper and only moves at times when the paper is not being fed, this movement of the stock roll being effected by means of the auxiliary feeding bar 35 which pulls the requisite length of paper from the stock roll in readiness for feedin by the feeding pins 4|. I l

the machine means is provided for depressing the feeding pins 4| below the path of the tape. It will be understood that at the time when the tape is lifted clear of the pins 4| by the rise of the stripper bar 44 the punches 28 and 42 are through the tape so that although the tape is free so far as the feeding pins are concerned, the punches prevent the tape from being inserted or withdrawn.

Accordingly the support plate 40 to which the feeding pins 4| are rigidly attached is made in two parts of which one 40a is attached to the shaft 43 while the other part 48 is mounted to slide on the part 40a by means of pins and slots 620. the cam slot pulls the part 4|] with the feed pins 4| downwardly.

I order-to insert the paper the machine is turned until the feed pin support is at rest at er plate to descend under the action-of their spring45 so that the feed pins 4l-will be projecting above the stripperbar=44-and into the holes 49 in the threader'plate 46. The slide 62 isnow pushed in rearwardly-whereby the part 40 together withthe pins 4| is drawn downwardly.

' During this operation the stripper bar 44 is held 'up'bythe lifting bars 5| and the stripper bar is thus prevented from following the downward movementof the pins 4] which in effect descend into the stripper bar so that they no longer project above it and consequently the space l2 between th die plates is clear for the insertion of the tape edgewise, from the front of the machine. In order to prevent the tape from wandering laterally on the take up roll the outer end of the spindle 53 is made hollow as indicated at 61 (Figure 7) and a retaining finger 68 is pivoted on a pin 69 in a slot 10 formed in the extreme end of the spindle. Within the hollow portion 6! of the spindle 53 is mounted a plunger ll urged outwardly by a spring 12, and the finger 68 is formed with a cam projection 13 extending on the other side of its pivot 69, and engaging with the plunger II at a point slightly off the centre of the pivot 69. pushes the finger 68..li-ghtly against the end face of the take up roll thereby preventing it from turning backwardly during the idle stroke of the rack 59.

In order to push the split sleeve carrying the free end of the tape on to the sleeve 54 the finger 68 is turned clockwise (Figure' 7) .so that it projects axially fromthe spindle 53 whereby the spring 12 is compressed. The split sleeve with the tape attached thereto is then pushed on endwise over the axially extending finger 58 on to the sleeve 54 after which the fingeris turned back counter-clockwise to the position shown in Figure '7. After the finger has been thus turned to 'a certain position the spring loaded plunger 1| continues the movement and snaps the finger over until it stands at right angles to the axis of the-spindle 53 in which position it bears against the outer surface of the roll of paper being wound on to the sleeve 54, thereby preventing the paper from wandering laterally.

A similar arrangement is provided for the stock-roll for the reception of which a fixed spinplates 9 and i0.

projecting rearwardly" from the plate 2, the-said ,lever I8 being connected by a link 80 to an arm 8| secured to the shaft 8. The bars 5 are connected by a transverse rod 82 on which are pivoted two depending connecting links 83, each of which is pivoted at its lower end by means of a rod 84 to a corresponding crank lug 85 formed integrally with a casting 88 secured to theshaft 8. At each rotation of the main shaft 15 the first mentioned cam 16 rocks the die plate operating shaft 8 through the follower lever 18, the connecting link 80 and the arm 8| secured to said shaft 8,

whereby the crank lugs 85 and connecting links 83 positively raise and lower the bars 5 and die The second mentioned cam 11 co-operates with a spring urged roll 81a ona follower lever 81 secured to the shaft 43 to which the lower part 40a of the feed pin support is secured so that as the main shaft rotates the feed pin support 40-40a is rocked in timed relationship with the l operation of the die plates 9 and III in the man,-

By this means. the spring I2 dle I4 projecting from the plate 2 is provided.

The end of this spindle is provided with a finger piece 68a pivoted in a slot in the end of the spindle and provided with a spring loaded plunger similar to the equivalent members associated with the take-up roll.

The operating mechanism of the machine is exceedingly simple and comprises a main shaft 15 to which are secured two cams I6 and 11 (Figuse 5) of which one 1.6 operates the barscarrying the punch dies 9 and i0 and the lifting'bars 5|, while the other cam 11 operates the shaft 43 and thereby the feeding pin support 40, the auxiliary feed arm 35 and the rack 59 which actuates the take-up roll ratchet 58.

To this end the first mentioned cam 16 cooperates with the two rolls 18a on a follower lever 18, thus giving a' positive operation in each direction. This lever'is pivoted on a spindle I9 her already described.

Also secured to the shaft 43 is a lever 52-60, extending to either side of said shaft so as to be rocked therewith. One arm 52 of this lever carries the auxiliary feed bar 35 and the other arm 60 ispivoted to the rack 59 by means of which the take-uproll ratchet 58 is actuated.

N A handle 89 is attached to the main shaft 15 for manual operation of the machine, but the machine may be driven by a motor if desired.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the invention includes mechanism for feeding tape, strip, or web material from -a storage roll past a device for operating, on the web, and for winding the web on to a take up roll, including in combination feed pins adapted to engage feed holes in the web, means for moving the feed pins in one direction to feed the web and in the opposite direction to make an idle return stroke, means for engaging the web to hold it stationary during said idle return stroke of the pins, means for effecting relative movement between the web and the pins at each end of the stroke thereof so as to effect engagement of the feed holes with the pins at the beginning of the feed stroke and disengagement'of the holes in the web from the pins at the end of the feed stroke, means for unwinding from the storage roll a length of web equal to the length to be fed, andmeans for. actuating the take up roll and said unwinding means of the web remaining stationary duringvfeeding.

operations performed by the feeding pins,

The invention further includes mechanism for feeding tape, strip or web record material through a device for punching record holes in the web, and 1 for windingth'e punched Web on to a take up roll,

- including in combination punches formaking atively to the pins at each end of the stroke thereof so as to effect engagement of the feed holes in the web with'the pins at the beginning of the feed stroke and disengagement of the holes from the. pins at the end of the feed stroke, an

auxiliary feeding bar, movable on to the portion of the web between the punches and the storage I perform any work in unwinding thetape or web r011, while the punches are through theweb, to draw from the storage roll a length of web to form a bight equal to the length to befed, said auxiliary feeding bar returning at a rate proportional to the rate of feed during each feed stroke of the feeding pins, whereby the taking up of the bight is controlled, and means for actuating the take up roll to wind up the punched web contemporaneously with the operation of the auxiliary feeding bar whereby the storage and take up rolls with the main bulk of the web are stationary during feeding operations of the feed pins, and while the feed pins are idle the main bulk of the web is fed by the action of the auxiliary feed bar and the take-up mechanism.

Accordingly the invention includes in combination means for feeding tape, strip or web record material intermittently and means operative in between successive intermittent feeding operations to unwind from the storage roll a length of the tape or strip equal to the length fed at .each feeding operation, in readiness for feeding at the next operation of the feeding means, whereby during each feeding operation the storage roll remains stationary and the tape is freed, during feeding operations, from the tension which would be set up therein if the unwinding of the tape or web from the storage roll were effected by the feeding movement of said tape or web.

Accordingly the invention also includes a machine comprising in combination means for perforating data in a web, feeding pins or projections carried on a member adapted to oscillate in the path of i'eedv of the web, means for making feeding perforations in the web contemporaneously with the making of the data perforations, and means for effecting relative movement between from the storage roll and the tape or web is thus free from appreciable tension during feeding opierations;

I claim:

1. Mechanism for feeding a web of paper or moving theweb relatively to the pins to effect engagement of the feed holes in the web with the pins at the beginning of a feed stroke of the support, and disengagement of the holes from the pins at the end of a feed stroke and said last named web moving means being controlled by the movable punch member.

'2. In a machine for feeding a form through a member for operating on th form, in combination, means for reciprocating said member, an oscillating support for feeding the form-intermittently through said member and means movably mounted along thelongitudinal axis of the oscillating support and controlled by the movements of said member for moving the form into feeding and non-feeding relation with said oscillating support.

3. In a machine for feeding a form through amember for operating on the form, in combination, means for reciprocating said member, form feeding means including pins and an element on said feeding means for moving the form into at' tached and detached relation with the pins, means for oscillating the feeding means in feed and return strokes in timed relation with the reciprocations of said member and means controlled by the the feeding pins and the web at each end of the stroke of the carrier member, so as to effect engagement of the pins or projections with the feed holes in the web at the beginning'of a feed stroke of the carrier, and disengagement of the pins or projections from said holes at the end of the feed stroke of the carrier.

It is to be understood that the invention also includes apparatus for punching records in successive zones of a sheet or web of paper comprising in combination punches for making a record and marginal feed holes in the paper, feed pins for feeding the paper past the punch'es, and means for moving the paper to thread the feed holes on to the pins after a punching operation and removing the paper from the pins before the next succeeding punching operation and means for actuating the feeding pins for a feeding operation while the feed holes are in engagement with the pins.

According to the present invention mechanism for feeding tape, strip or web record material, e. g. paper, through a statistical or like machine may comprise in combination feeding pins adapted to engage feeding holes in the tape or web, means for operating the feeding pins intermittently tofeed the tape or web step by step, an auxiliary feeding device located between the tape storage roll and'the feeding pins and means for actuating said auxiliary feeding device intermittently in such timed relationship with the intermittent operation of the feeding pins that, while the feeding pins are idle, the auxiliary feeding device draws from the storage roll sufiicient of the tape or web to form a bight, which is taken up during the feeding operation next performed by the feeding pins, whereby the feeding pins do not reciprocations of said member for actuating said form moving element at the end of each stroke of said feed means to attach the form to the pins for a feed stroke and detach the form from the pins for a return stroke.

4. In a mechanism for feeding a form from a supply roll to a take up roll and past a pin unit intermediate said rolls, in combination, means for reciprocating said unit to cause th pins thereof to engage the form; a feed member including feed pins and form engaging members, means for oscillating said feed member in feed and retract stroke sequence with the operation of said pin unit, and means on said unit for operating the form engaging member to move the form out of and in to feeding engagement with the feed pins when the pins of the unit are in and out of engagement with the form, respectively. I

5. In a machine for feeding a form through a unit for operating on the form, in combination, means for reciprocating said unit, a feed member for advancing the form through the unit, means for intermittently actuating said feed member in feed and retract strokes between reciprocatory movements of said unit, and means controlled by the operation of said unit including members movably mounted on said feed member and presenting opposed form engaging surfaces for brin ing the form into feeding and non-feeding relation with said feed member.

6. In a mechanism. for feeding a form from a pin unit, means for operating the form engaging the form into engagement with member to move the feedipins for a feed stroke of said feed memher while the pins of the unit are out of engagement with the form and said form engaging member being operable to move the-form out of engagement with the feed pins for a retract stroke of the feed member while the pins of the unit are in engagement with theforni.

7. In a machine for operating on a web of material used as a perforated form, in combination,

a movable unit past which the web moves, means for. feeding the web including a movable feed member, means for intermittently actuating the unit, meansfor moving the feed member in feed and retract strokes between movements. of said unit, means movably mountedon said feed member and presenting opposed web engaging surfaces for bringing the web'into feeding and non-feeding terial used as a machine controlling form, spaced supply and take up rolls betweenwhich the web extends, means intermediate the rolls for operating on the web, means for intermittently producing an initial slack in the web between the supply roll and the operating means, means for drawing the web intermittently from the operating means to relocate said initial slack between said operating means and the take-up roll and means for actuating said take-up roll in coordination with the movement of said web drawing means to take up the slack in the web. I

9. In a machine for perforating a web of paper or the like, spaced supply and take-up rolls between which the web extends, means intermediate the rolls for punching holes inthe web, means for producing a slack in the web between the supply roll and the punch means equal to the amount of web to be fed, said slack being prO- duced while the punch means is in punching engagement with the web, means for drawing the web intermittently from the punch means to refor causing feeding and non-feeding engagement of said pins with the web, and means for actuatin said web feeding means.

12. In a machine for feeding a form through a member'for operatingon the form, in combination, spaced supply and take-up rolls between which the form moves, spindles upon which the rolls are supported, means on said spindles for yieldable en agement with the ed e of the form to prevent lateral wander. thereof during winding, including a latch pivoted to the spindle and movable to a position in axial alignment therewith and to a. position at right angles thereto and means for yieldablymaintaining said latch in either of said positions and against the edge of the roll in the latter of said two positions.

13. Mechanism forfeedingaweb from a stor age roll past a punch for perforating the'web, and for winding the web onto, a take up roll, including in combination, means for punching the web intermediate said rolls, feed pins adapted to enga e holes punched in the web, means for moving the feed pins in one direction to feed the web away from the punching means and in the opposite ,direction to make an idle-return stroke, the punch being arranged for engaging the web to hold it stationary during said idle return stroke of the pins, means for moving the web into and out of engagement with the pins at each end of the stroke thereof so as toholes with the pins at the beginning of the feed stroke and disengagement of the holes in the web from the pins at the end of the feed stroke, means for unwinding from' the storage roll a length of web equal to the length to be fed, and means operable in synchronism with said feed pin movin means for actuating the take-up roll and said unwinding means while the web is held stationary in the punch, whereby the feed pins only feed a 40 relatively short length of web at each feeding up' roll, and means for operating the take-up roll to absorb the relocated slack.

10. In a mechanism for feeding a perforated form from a supplylroll to a take-up roll and past an intermediate unit for operating on the form, in combination, feed pins for engaging the perforations, means for moving-the feed pins in one direction to feed the form and in the opposite direction to make an idle return stroke, said unit holding the form stationary during said return stroke, means on said pin moving means and movable with respect to said pins for effecting relative movement between the form and the pins at the end of each stroke to effect engag ment of the pins with the perforationsof the form at the beginning of a feed stroke and disengagement of the pins at the end of the feed stroke, means for unwinding a. length of form from the supply roll equal to the amount to be fed, and means for alternately operating the take-up roll and the unwinding means while the form is stationary.

11. In a machine foroperating on a perforated web or sheet of material used as a control form,

in combination, a movable unit past which the web moves, means for feeding the? web including means and operatively associated with said unit operation, the storage and take up rolls with the bulk of theweb remaining stationary during'feeding operations performed by the feeding pins.

14. In a mechanism for feeding web material through a device for punching record holes inthe web, and for winding the punched web onto a take up roll, the combination with punches for making record and feed holes in the web, of feed pins disposed to engage the feed holes and movable in one direction to'feed the web while the punches are clear thereof and in the opposite direction to make an idle return stroke while the punches are through the web, means for moving the web relatively to the pins at each end of the stroke thereof so as to effect engagement of the feed holes in the web with the pins at the beginning of the feed stroke and disengagement of the holes from the pins at the end of the feed stroke, an auxiliaryfeeding bar engaging the web between the punches and the storage roll, while the punches are through the web, to draw from the storag roll a length of web to form a bight equal to the length to be fed, said auxiliary feeding bar returning at a rate proportional to the rate of feed during each feed stroke of the feeding pins, whereby the taking up of the bight is controlled, and means for actuating the take up roll to wind up the punched web contemporaneously with the operation of the auxiliary feeding bar whereby the storage and take up rolls with the main bulk of the web are stationary during feeding operations of the feed pins, and while the feed pins are idle the main bulk of the web is fed by the action of the auxiliary feed bar and the take-up mechanism.

effect engagement of the feeding operations and while the web is held by the punch to unwind from the storage roll a length ofthe tape or web equal to the length fed at each,

feeding operation, in readiness for feeding at the next operation of the feeding means, whereby during each feeding operation the storage roll remains stationary and the'tape is freed, durin feeding operations, from the tension; which would a be set up therein if the unwinding of the tape or web from the storage roll were" effected by the feeding movement of said tape or web.

16. In a mafliine for perforating a web, punch means, a web feed member pivoted for swinging movement to feed the web past the punch, means for moving the web into and out of detached relation with the feed member, means for swinging said feed member, said swinging means and said web moving means operating in synchronism to attach the punched portion of the web to the feed member for a feed stroke of the latter and detach it fromthe feed member for a return stroke of the latter, and means operable in unison with the swinging movements of said feed member to produce a slack in the unpunched portion of the web and take up the punched portion of the web advanced by the feed stroke of said member.

7 17. Ina machine for punching records in successive zones of a sheet or web of paper comprising in combination a punch for making record and marginal feed holes in the paper, a feed pin carrying member for feeding the paper past the punches, means on said pin member and controlled by said punch for moving the paper onto and off of the pins in synchronism with the operation of said punch, and means for actuating the feed pin member to feed the paper while the feed I holes are in engagement with the pins.

18. Mechanism for feeding web record material in web form, through a statistical or like machine comprising in combination feeding pins adapted to engage feeding holes in the web, means for operating the feeding pins intermittently to feed the web step by step, a web feeding bar located between a web storage roll and the feeding pins and means for actuating said feeding bar intermittently in such timed relationship with the intermittent operation of the feeding pins that, while the feeding pins are idle, the feeding bar draws from the storage roll sufficient of the web to form a bight, which is taken up during the feedin operation next performed by the feeding pins, whereby the feeding pins do not perform any work in unwinding the web from the storage roll and the web is thus free from appreciable tension during feeding operations.

19. In a mechanism for feeding a form of web tape from a supply roll to a take-up roll and past a unit intermediate said rolls for intermittent engagement with said'form, in combination, a feed member for intermittently engaging and drawing the form a predetermined distance from said unit when the latter is disengaged from said form. an auxiliary feed means, means for operating said feed member and said auxiliary feed means in timed relation, andsaid auxiliary feed means being adapted to draw from said supply roll during engagement of the unit with the form a length of the latter equal to the amount thereof drawn from the unit by said feed member, and means controlled by said auxiliary feed means for operating the take-up roll to reel in the length of the form drawn from the unit by said feed member.

20. In a machine for perforating data in a web of paper or the like, movable means for punching holes in the web, web holding rolls between which the web passes to be engaged by said punching means, an oscillating support for feeding the web intermittently through the punching means, means movably mounted on said oscillating support and controlled by the movements of said punching means for moving the web into feedin and non-feeding relation with said oscillating support and means for drawing th web from one roll and winding it on another in timed relation with the oscillatory movements of said support.

21. In a mechanism for feeding a form through a punching unit, in combination, a member for pulling the form past the punching unit including pins for engagement with the holes of the form after the latter passes through said punching unit, means for oscillating said feeding member predetermined distances in feed and idle strokes, and means on said feeding member and movable longitudinally of the pins for causing engagement of said pins with the perforations of said form between the idle and feed strokes whereby the distance between perforations made in successive punching operations of the punching unit is accurately maintained by the successivefeed movements of said feed member. v

22. In a machine for feeding a form through a member for operating on the form, in combination, means for reciprocating said member, an oscillating support for feeding the form intermittently through the member including form enga ing feed pins, means movably mounted on said oscillating support and controlled by the movements of said operating member for moving the form into feeding and non-feeding relation with said feed pins, and manual means for disabling the pins as a form engaging medium.

- ARTHUR THOMAS. 

